GoPro
HERO13 Black
Flagship GoPro with 1/1.9-inch sensor, 5.3K60 video, 4K120, HyperSmooth 6.0, HB-Series lens auto-detect, and 10m waterproofing.
$399
Released Sep 2024
Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Released Jan 2016
HERO13 Black is 8.7 years newer.
Wins
HERO13 Black
Wins
D500
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BD500 has higher AF points / zones (153 vs 0)
- AHERO13 Black has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 0 stops)
- BD500 has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 6,400)
- AHERO13 Black has lower Weight (159 g vs 760 g)
- AHERO13 Black has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
HERO13 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)
D500
147 × 115 × 81 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
HERO13 Black is 75mm narrower, 64mm shorter, and 47mm thinner than D500.
HERO13 Black is 601 g lighter than D500.
Depth (front-to-back): 34mm HERO13 Black · 81mm D500
Sensor size, to scale
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
HERO13 Black: mount data unavailable
D500
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
HERO13 Black
Codecs
Adds H.265 (HEVC)
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 71.8, 50.8, 33.6
Card types
Adds microSD
Weight
159 g vs 760 g — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only HERO13 Black supports it
Reasons to choose
D500
AF points / zones
153 vs 0 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 115, 81
Card types
Adds XQD, SD UHS-II
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 6,400 — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Microphone jack (3.5mm)
Only D500 supports it
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only D500 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
HERO13 Black
Pros
- ✓5.3K60 and 4K120 video
- ✓1/1.9-inch sensor
- ✓HyperSmooth 6.0 + Burst Slo-Mo
- ✓10m waterproof
Cons
- –Small sensor vs Action 5 Pro
- –Fixed lens
- –Enduro battery not backward compatible
D500
Pros
- ✓10fps APS-C
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Great buffer
Cons
- –DSLR
- –APS-C
- –No IBIS
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, HERO13 Black or D500?
HERO13 Black scores 8.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for D500 — 159g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO13 Black and D500?
HERO13 Black is 27.6 MP and D500 is 20.9 MP, so the HERO13 Black captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the HERO13 Black and D500 have in-body image stabilization?
HERO13 Black does not have IBIS, while d500 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the HERO13 Black or the D500?
HERO13 Black reaches 20 fps electronic. D500 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the HERO13 Black and D500?
HERO13 Black weighs 159 g and D500 weighs 760 g, so the HERO13 Black is 601 g lighter.
Do the HERO13 Black and D500 record 4K video?
HERO13 Black: 4K up to 120p. D500: 4K up to 30p.
Are the HERO13 Black and D500 weather sealed?
HERO13 Black: Yes. D500: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the HERO13 Black and 1,240 shots for the D500, giving the D500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
HERO13 Black launched at $399 and D500 at $1,999. The HERO13 Black is $1,600 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.